Paeachute



April 1, 1947. A. P. ATHERTON PARAGHUTE Original 2392,J+8

7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Dec. 1, 1944 INVENTOR M flda/Lzm w- WATTORNE S April 1, 1947. v p, ATHERTONQ Re. 22,859

PARACHUTE Q Original Filed Dec. 1, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

ATM/P [Y5 April 1947. A. P. ATHERTON Re. 22,859

' PARACHUTB Original Filed Dec. 1, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 1, 1947.A. P. ATHERTON PARAGHUTE Original Filed Dec. 1, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 4Semen mum April 1, 1947. A. P. ATHERTON PARACHUTE Original Filed Dec. 1,1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 r 1 ATTORNEY April 1, 19 7- A. P. ATHERTONPARACHUTE l, 1944 7 Sheets-$heet 6 Original Filed Dec.

INVENTOR ATTORN s April 1, 1947. p, ATHERTON Re. 22,859

PARACHUTE Original Filed Dec. 1, 1944 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 u. INVENTOR F' M/M Reissued Apr. 1, 1947 hearts. noon:

PARACHUTE Archie P. Atherton, Glendale, Callf., assignor to MartinSteinthal and Augustus Steinthal, New

York, N. Y.

Original No. 2,392,448, dated January 8, 1946,

Serial No. 566,048, December 1, 1944. Application for reissue June 1,1946, Serial No. 673,721

20 Claims. (01. 244-439) This invention relates to parachutes and moreespecially to a parachute for use in checking the descent of a disabledaircraft or an aircraft which has gotton out of control of the aviator.

An object of this invention is to provide an aircraft with parachutestorage facilities of such nature that the parachute may easily andquickly be released by the aviator and brought into operating positionwithout danger of the parachute becoming fouled in the aftergear of theaircraft.

A further object of this invention is a suitable connection between theaircraft and the parachute by means of which the aviator may release theparachute from the aircraft if, after a period of use of the parachute,the condition requiring its use has ceased to exist.

According to one embodiment of this invention, the parachute is storedin a box-like container arranged within the body of an airplane atapproximately its center of gravity. The container is pivotally attachedat one end to the airplane body through the medium of separableconnecting means which may be disconnected by the aviator if so desired.The airplane body is provided with a pivoted cover overlying thecontainer which normally is arranged completely within the wing and thecover is kept in closed position by a latch. A pilot parachute is storedin a compartment provided in a suitable part of the airplane such, forexample, as in the rudder and a releasable cover for the compartment isheld in place by suitable latch means. A cable connects the pilotparachute shrouds to the peak of the main parachute and is detachablyanchored at a point near the rear of the airplane. The cover latch isconnected to said cable. Means are provided for operation by the aviatorto release the pilot parachute While retaining the cable in anchoredcondition. In the event that the aviator has released the pilotparachute because of a tailspin, the release of it may be sufficient tobring the airplane out of the tailspin and it may be unnecessary torelease the main parachute. The pilot parachute rises above the airplaneabout the anchor point as a pivot and clears the aftergear of theairplane. Assuming that it is necessary to release the main parachute,the aviator disconnects the cable anchor by additional movement of thepilot parachute releasing means and the pilot parachute rises higherinto the air about the main parachute cover edge as a pivot and effectsrelease of the cover latch. The pilot parachute then draws out the mainparachute and because of the elevation of the pilot parachute above theaftergear of the airplane the main parachute is lifted clear of saidaftergear so that there is no possibility of the main parachute becomingfouled therein. The main parachute may be kept in operating positionuntil the airplane has reached the ground or if the aviator regainscontrol of the airplane, the parachute may be disconnected from theairplane by the means above referred to.

Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention willbecome apparent from the following specification and accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an airplane embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the pilot parachute released;

Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of a portion of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the plane with the main parachutepartially withdrawn from its carrier;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of an airplane with the main parachute infully open condition;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevation similar to Fig. 1 partially brokenaway;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail View;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation partially broken awayof the tail of the airplane;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary front elevation of the rudder;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary central vertical sec tion through the airplane;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section similar to Fig. 11,and

Fig. 15 is a section on the line l5l5 of Fig. 14.

The airplane ID may be of any standard type but it is here shown ashaving a. single continuous wing H, a fuselage l2, a rudder l3 andelevators M. The main parachute P is arranged in a pivoted box-likecontainer 15 mounted in a normally closed compartment in the wing H andthe pilot parachute p is contained in a normally closed compartment l6formed in the tail portion, the compartment being here shown in therudder l3 but may be located elsewhere. A cable l'l leads from the endsof the pilot parachute shrouds to the peak of the main parachute, theshrouds of which are connected through the container is to the airplanesubstantially at its center of gravity by means subsequently to bedescribed. The cable 11 preferably lies in a groove provided for it butmay lie on the surface of the airplane. In either event, it is coveredby a strip of fabric l8 attached to the airplane surface by suitableadhesive. Means, subsequently to be described, releasably mchor thecable l1 at a point near the rear of the fuselage.

Upon development of conditions requiring the use of a parachute, thepilot parachute p is released from the compartment 16 by meanssubsequently to be described in detail and after stripping ofi therequired amount of the fabric I9, assumes the position shown in Fig. 2with the cable l1 anchored to the fuselage near its rear end. In thecase of tail spins, the pilot parachute may serve to correct thecondition, thereby making unnecessary the release of the main parachute.However, in the event that conditions require the release of the mainparachute P, the aviator releases the cable H from its anchor so thatthe pilot parachute rises from the position shown in Fig. 2, withconcomitant stripping of the remaining fabric [8 from the plane body andreleases the main parachute container l5 whereupon the main parachute ispulled by the pilot parachute through the position shown in Fig. 4 andinto the position shown in Fig. 5. The plane I0 is thereupon supportedby the main parachute P. Should the need for the main parachute cease,the aviator may release it as hereinafter described and again operatethe plane in the normal manner.

In the embodiment herein disclosed, the pilot parachute compartment I6is formed in the upper portion of the rudder. The rudder is hollow and asection of one side of it is made removable. This section consists of apanel closing an opening provided in one side wall of the rudder with aportion of the panel underlying a lip 2| formed in the rudder wall. Thepanel carries two separated pairs of spaced half-rings 22. The ruddercarries two similar half-rings 22a with each half-ring 2211 beingarranged to extend between a pair of half-rings 22 but facing oppositelyto the half-rings 22. A rod 23 extends between each pair of half-rings22 and associated half-ring 22a and when in position serves to attachthe panel to the rudder in conjunction with the lip 2|. The pilotparachute p is arranged within the compartment in suitably foldedcondition and the cable l1 extends through a slot cut in the bottom edgeof the panel 22. A line 24 is connected to the pins 23 and leads throughsuitable guides to a handle 25 in the airplane cockpit, the handle beingarranged in a location convenient to the aviator. When the aviator pullsthe handle 25, the line 24 disengages the pins 23 from the half-rings 22and 22a to release the front edge of the panel 20 which is lifted awayfrom the rudder by the stream of air flowing past the rudder and thepilot parachute p is released to be blown out into the position shown inFig. 2 by the air stream.

The cable 11 is made up of two parts which are joined together by aconnector 25 having an eye member 21. A bracket 28 anchored to thefuselage near its rear has an aperture receiving the eye member 21. Apin 29 extending through the eye member 21 engages the bracket 28 toanchor the cable IT to the rear end of the airplane fuselage. A line 39leads from the pin 29 through suitable guides to a lost-motion connector3| attached to the line 24. The design of the lost-motion connector 3|is such that ovement is not communicated from the line 24 to Cal theline 30 unti1 after the panel 20 has been released. The aviator,therefore, may release the pilot parachute p from its compartment whilekeeping the main parachute anchored as shown in Fig. 2.

The main parachute container I5 is in the form of a narrow box 32 whichis hinged by pivots 33 to two brackets 34 having yoke portions 35. Thebox 32 is closed at its pivoted end and open at its remaining end. Eachyoke portion 35 fits over a bar 35 extending between the front spar 31and the rear spar 38 of the wing H. A block 39 closes each yoke 35 andhas a portion shaped to fit the bar 35. Each block 39 is held in therelation just described by a pin 40 passing through openings in bothlegs of the yoke and in the block itself. Each pin 49 is connected by alink 4| with the end of an arm 42 extending from a vertical shaft 43having an operating handle 44 arranged convenient to the aviator.Rotation of the shaft 43 is effective to withdraw the pins 40 to releasethe blocks 39 thereby permitting disconnection of the container 15 fromthe airplane. Each end wall of the box 32 is provided with a slot 45 inwhich is arranged a bar 46. Straps 41 connect the bar 46 to the shoudsof the main parachute P and springs 48 oppose movement of the bar 46 inthe slots 45.

The box 32 normally is arranged within the Wing I as shown in full linesin Fig. 11. Directly above the box 32, the airplane is provided with acover 49 which is hinged to the wing II at 50 and is provided with abuffer 5| engaging the top surface of the box 32. A spring 52 urges thebox 32 upwardly to engage the buffer 5| with the lid 49. A pin 53extends through alined apertures in the bar 54 of the wing structure andthe rear end of the cover 49 to retain the latter in closed position. Aline 55 connects the pin 53 to the cable [1.

Upon release of the cable [1 by withdrawal of the pin 29 from the eyemember 21, the pilot parachute p pulls the cable l1 to withdraw the pin53 from looking relation to the cover 49 whereupon the cover and the box32 move into the dot-dash position shown in Fig. 11, and the pilotparachute p begins to withdraw the main parachute P from the box 32.When the main parachute P has been completely withdrawn from the box 32and has opened, the box 32 assumes the position shown in Fig. 4 and alsoin dotted lines in Fig. 9. The airplane I0 is now supported by theparachute P, as shown in Fig. 5. The initial shock occasioned uponopening of the parachute P is cushioned by the springs 48 and theairplane is supported from the parachute through the pivots 33, brackets35, cross-rods 36 and spars 31 and 38. If at any time the pilot wishesto release the airplane from the parachute, he may do so merely byrotating the shaft 43 by actuation of the handle 44 to disengage thepins 40 from the blocks 39.

It is of course to be understood that variou modifications may be madein the apparatus herein described without in any way departing from thespirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Also, whilethe invention has been disclosed as embodied in one type of aircraft, itis to be understood that the invention is equally applicable to otherkinds of aircraft and that the particular embodiment herein disclosed ismerely illustrative but in no way limitative of the scope of theinvention.

I claim:

1. In an airplane, a main parachute fastened SBBTCH mom thereto, anormally closed compartment for receiving said parachute in collapsedcondition, a pilot parachute, a compartment in the airplane tail forreceiving said pilot parachute in collapsed condition, a releasablecover for said last-named compartment, 9, cabe connecting the shroudends of the pilot parachute to the peak of the main parachute, meansreleasably anchoring said cable to said airplane fuselage adjacent theairplane tail, and means operable by the aviator for successivelyreleasing said cover and said cableanchoring means.

2. In an airplane, a main parachute fastened thereto, means forreleasably retaining said main parachute in collapsed condition withinthe airplane, a pilot parachute, a compartment in the airplane tail forreceiving said pilot parachute in collapsed condition, a releasablecover for said compartment, a cable connecting the shroud ends of thepilot parachute to the peak of the main parachute, means releasablyanchoring said cable to said airplane adjacent the tail thereof, meansoperable by the aviator for successively releasing said cover and saidcable-anchoring means, and means operable by said cable for releasingsaid main parachute-retaining means.

3. In an airplane, a main parachute fastened thereto, means forreleasably retaining said main parachute in collapsed condition withinthe airplane, a pilot parachute, a compartment in the airplane tail forreceiving said pilot parachute in collapsed condition, a releasablecover for said compartment, a cable connecting the shroud ends of thepilot parachute to the peak of the main parachute, means releasablyanchoring said cable to said airplane adjacent the tail thereof, andmeans for successively releasing said cover, said cable-anchoring meansand. said main parachuteretaining means.

4. In an airplane, a main parachute releasably connected thereto, meansfor releasably retaining said main parachute in collapsed conditionwithin the airplane, a pilot parachute, a compartment in the airplanetail for receiving said pilot parachute in collapsed condition, areleasable cover for said compartment, 2, cable connecting the shroudends of the pilot parachute to the peak of the main parachute, meansreleasably anchoring said cable to said airplane adjacent the tailthereof, means operable by the aviator for successively releasing saidcover and cable-anchoring means, means operable by said cable forreleasing said main parachute-retaining means, and means operable by theaviator for disconnecting the main parachute from the airplane.

5. In an airplane, a main parachute releasably connected thereto, meansfor releasably retaini said main parachute in collapsed condition withinthe airplane, a pilot parachute, a compartment in the airplane tail forreceiving said pilot parachute in collapsed condition, a releasablecover for said compartment, a cable connecting the shroud ends of thepilot parachute to the peak of the main parachute, means releasablyanchoring said cable to said airplane adjacent the tail thereof, meansfor successively releasing said cover, said cable-anchoring means andsaid main parachute-retaining means, and means operable by the aviatorfor disconnecting the main parachute from the airplane.

6. In an airplane, a main parachute fastened thereto, means forreleasably retaining said main parachute in collapsed condition withinthe airplane, a pilot parachute, a compartment in the airplane tail forreceiving said pilot parachute in collapsed condition, a releasabl coverfor said compartment, latch means for said cover, a cable connecting theshroud ends of the pilot parachute to the peak of the main parachute,latch means for anchoring said cable adjacent the airplane tail, 2.member connected to said cover latch means and movable by the aviator torelease the same, and a lost-motion connection between said anchor latchmeans and said member.

7. In an aircraft, a compartment having a pivoted cover, a, latch memberfor retaining said cover in closed position, a box-like container withinsaid compartment open at One end, means pivotally supporting saidcontainer at its closed end, a parachute stored in said container,shockabsorbing connections between the parachute shrouds and thecontainer, and means controlled by the aviator for releasing said latchmember and effecting withdrawal of said parachute from said container.

8. In the combination according to claim I, means for detachablyconnecting the container supporting means to the airplane, and meansoperable by the aviator for releasing said connecting means.

9. In an aircraft, a main parachute fastened thereto and stowed therein,a pilot parachute stowed in the aircraft, a cable connecting the shroudends of the pilot parachute to the peak of the main parachute, means forreleasably anchoring said cable to the aircraft at a point adjacent thestowage location of the pilot parachute, and means operable by theaviator for successively releasing said pilot parachute and said cableanchoring means.

10. In an aircraft, a main parachute fastened thereto and stowedtherein, a pilot parachute stowed in the aircraft, a cable connectingthe shroud ends of the pilot parachute to the peak of the mainparachute, means for releasably anchoring said cable to the aircraft ata point adjacent the stowage location of the pilot parachute, meansoperable by the aviator for successively releasing said pilot parachuteand said cable anchoring means, and means operable by said cable forreleasing said main parachute.

11. In the combination according to claim '7, means operable by theaviator for releasing the parachute from the airplane.

12. In an aircraft, a compartment having a releasable cover, a latchmember for retaining said cover in closed position, a box-like containerwithin said compartment open at one end and attached at its closed endto the aircraft a parachute stored in said container, shock-absorbingconnections between the parachute shrouds and said container, and meanscontrolled by the aviator for releasing said latch member and effectingwithdrawal of said parachute from said compartment.

13. In an aircraft, a compartment having a releasable cover, a latchmember for retaining said cover in closed position, a box-like containerwithin said compartment open at one end, means for detachably connectingsaid container to the aircraft, a parachute stored in and attached tosaid container, means controlled by the aviator for releasing said latchmember and effecting withdrawal of said parachute from said container,and means operable by the aviator for releasing said connecting means.

14. In an aircraft, a first compartment having a releasable cover, afirst latch member for retaining said cover in closed position, a mainparachute stored in said compartment, 2. connection between theparachute shrouds and the aircraft, a second compartment having areleasable cover, a second latch member for retaining said lastnarnedcover in closed position, a pilot parachute stored in said secondcompartment, a connection between said pilot an main parachutes, meansoperable by the aviator for releasing said second latch member, andmeans operable by said pilot parachute upon release thereof from saidsecond compartment to release said first latch member.

15. In an aircraft, a first compartment having a releasable cover, afirst latch member for retaining said cover in closed position, a mainparachute stored in said first compartment, releasable connecting meansbetween the parachute shrouds and the airplane, means operable by theaviator for releasing said connecting means, a second compartment havinga releasable cover, a second latch member for retaining said lastnamedcover in closed position, a pilot parachute stored in said secondcompartment, a connection between said pilot and main parachutes, meansoperable by the aviator for releasing said second latch member, meansoperable by said pilot parachute upon release thereof from said secondcompartment to release said first latch member.

16. In an aircraft, a first compartment having a releasable cover, afirst latch member for retaining said cover in closed position, abox-like container within said first compartment open at one end, meansreleasably connecting said container at its closed end to the aircraft,means operable by the aviator for releasing said container connectingmeans, a main parachute stored in said container, a second compartmenthaving a releasable cover, a second latch member for retaining saidlast-named cover in closed position, a pilot parachute stored in saidsecond compartment, a connection between said pilot and main parachutes,means operable by the aviator for releasing said second latch member,and means operable by the pilot parachute upon release thereof from saidsecond compartment to release said first latch member.

17. In an aircraft, a first compartment havin a releasable cover, afirst latch member for retaining said cover in closed position, abox-like container within said first compartment open at one end, meanspivotally supporting said container at its closed end, a main parachutestored in said container, a connection between the parachute shrouds andthe container, 3, econd compartment having a releasable cover, a secondlatch for retaining said cover in closed position,

a pilot parachute stored in said second compartment, a connectionbetween said pilot and main parachutes, means operable by the aviatorfor releasing said second latch member, and means operable by saidconnection upon release of said pilot parachute from said secondcompartment to release said first latch member.

18. In the combination according to claim 17, means for releasablyconnecting the containersupporting means to the aircraft, and meansoperable by the aviator for releasing said connecting means.

19. In an aircraft, a compartment having a releasable cover, a latchmember for retaining said cover in closed position, a box-like containerwithin said compartment open at one end and attached at its closed endto the aircraft, a parachute stored in and attached to said container,means controlled by the aviator for releasing said latch member andeffecting withdrawal of said parachute from said compartment, and meansoperable by the aviator for releasing the container from the aircraft.

2D. In an aircraft, a compartment arranged centrally thereof and havinga releasable cover, a main parachute fastened to said aircraft andstowed in said compartment, a pilot parachute stowed in a compartment inthe aircraft rudder, a releasable cover for said rudder compartment, acable connecting the shroud ends of the pilot parachute to the peak ofthe main parachute, means operated by the aviator to release saidlast-named cover, and means operated by said cable to release the coverfor said main para.- chute compartment for withdrawal of said mainparachute therefrom by said pilot parachute.

ARCHIE P. ATHER'ION.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,823,758 Owens Sept. 15, 19311,367,483 Kennard Feb. 1, 1921 1,530,125 Kayfes Mar. 17, 1925 2,411,077Andreopoulos Nov. 12, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 362,384Italian Aug. 24, 1938 18,178 French Dec. 8, 1933 Addl. to 431,691

